Thrifty Living Today : maintaining a homehttp://community.stretcher.com/blogs/thrifty_living_today/archive/tags/maintaining+a+home/default.aspxTags: maintaining a homeenCommunityServer 2007.1 (Build: 20917.1142)What do you remember about money managed by your parents?http://community.stretcher.com/blogs/thrifty_living_today/archive/2013/02/18/what-do-you-remember-about-money-managed-by-your-parents.aspxMon, 18 Feb 2013 13:21:00 GMTfda86a45-d6cb-4af5-9188-2e89367e0f5e:327940Lori Blatzheim2http://community.stretcher.com/blogs/thrifty_living_today/rsscomments.aspx?PostID=327940http://community.stretcher.com/blogs/thrifty_living_today/archive/2013/02/18/what-do-you-remember-about-money-managed-by-your-parents.aspx#comments<font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black;"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></span></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">Shortly
after starting the Virtual Thrift Club, I wrote a Dollar Stretcher Forum entry
on this topic. It turned out to be one of the most answered and heartrending
entries I ever wrote. People shared their memories, and opened our eyes to what
they had lived through as children.</font></font></span></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
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</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 12pt;" class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="color:black;font-size:10pt;">Welcome to Thrifty Living
Today a special way of life for the Twenty-first Century. <br />
<br />
My name is Lori Blatzheim and I am your host.</span></i></b><b><span style="color:black;"><br style="mso-special-character:line-break;" /><font size="3">
<br style="mso-special-character:line-break;" />
</font></span></b></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black;"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></span></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">Here is
the opening paragraph. </font></font></span></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black;"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></span></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">Find a
quiet space in your life and take a few minutes to reflect on your childhood.
What do you remember about your parents or guardians while you were growing up?
Did your family have a consistent source of income? Who paid the bills, mother,
father, someone else? Were you included, and did they show you what was spent
for food, clothing or utilities? Were you completely excluded from the process?
How did this influence your current spending habits?</font></font></span></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black;"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></span></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black;"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></span></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;" class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal;"><span style="color:black;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">I would like to suggest that you&nbsp;do the same
thing.</font></font></span></b></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;" class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal;"><span style="color:black;"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></span></b></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;" class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal;"><span style="color:black;"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></span></b></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">I have
tried doing this and here are some of my conclusions.</font></font></span></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black;"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></span></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black;"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></span></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">I had no
idea:</font></font></span></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black;"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></span></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt 1in;text-indent:-0.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1;mso-add-space:auto;" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst"><span style="color:black;font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;"><span style="mso-list:Ignore;"><font size="3">·</font><span style="font-size-adjust:none;font-stretch:normal;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
</span></span></span><span style="color:black;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">how much money my
father made</font></font></span></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt 1in;text-indent:-0.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1;mso-add-space:auto;" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="color:black;font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;"><span style="mso-list:Ignore;"><font size="3">·</font><span style="font-size-adjust:none;font-stretch:normal;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
</span></span></span><span style="color:black;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">where he banked</font></font></span></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt 1in;text-indent:-0.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1;mso-add-space:auto;" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="color:black;font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;"><span style="mso-list:Ignore;"><font size="3">·</font><span style="font-size-adjust:none;font-stretch:normal;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
</span></span></span><span style="color:black;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">what he owed </font></font></span></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt 1in;text-indent:-0.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1;mso-add-space:auto;" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="color:black;font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;"><span style="mso-list:Ignore;"><font size="3">·</font><span style="font-size-adjust:none;font-stretch:normal;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
</span></span></span><span style="color:black;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">whether he paid his
bills on time</font></font></span></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt 1in;text-indent:-0.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1;mso-add-space:auto;" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="color:black;font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;"><span style="mso-list:Ignore;"><font size="3">·</font><span style="font-size-adjust:none;font-stretch:normal;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
</span></span></span><span style="color:black;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">if he had a budget</font></font></span></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt 1in;text-indent:-0.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1;mso-add-space:auto;" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="color:black;font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;"><span style="mso-list:Ignore;"><font size="3">·</font><span style="font-size-adjust:none;font-stretch:normal;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
</span></span></span><span style="color:black;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">his financial goals</font></font></span></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt 1in;mso-add-space:auto;" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast"><span style="color:black;"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></span></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black;"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></span></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>I didn’t know:</font></font></span></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black;"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></span></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt 1.5in;text-indent:-0.25in;mso-list:l2 level3 lfo2;mso-add-space:auto;" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst"><span style="color:black;font-family:Wingdings;mso-bidi-font-family:Wingdings;mso-fareast-font-family:Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list:Ignore;"><font size="3">§</font><span style="font-size-adjust:none;font-stretch:normal;">&nbsp;
</span></span></span><span style="color:black;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">Who provided my mother with&nbsp;money.</font></font></span></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt 1.5in;text-indent:-0.25in;mso-list:l2 level3 lfo2;mso-add-space:auto;" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="color:black;font-family:Wingdings;mso-bidi-font-family:Wingdings;mso-fareast-font-family:Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list:Ignore;"><font size="3">§</font><span style="font-size-adjust:none;font-stretch:normal;">&nbsp;
</span></span></span><span style="color:black;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">When <span style="mso-spacerun:yes;">&nbsp;</span>she received it.</font></font></span></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt 1.5in;text-indent:-0.25in;mso-list:l2 level3 lfo2;mso-add-space:auto;" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="color:black;font-family:Wingdings;mso-bidi-font-family:Wingdings;mso-fareast-font-family:Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list:Ignore;"><font size="3">§</font><span style="font-size-adjust:none;font-stretch:normal;">&nbsp;
</span></span></span><span style="color:black;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">What she did with it.</font></font></span></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt 1.5in;text-indent:-0.25in;mso-list:l2 level3 lfo2;mso-add-space:auto;" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="color:black;font-family:Wingdings;mso-bidi-font-family:Wingdings;mso-fareast-font-family:Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list:Ignore;"><font size="3">§</font><span style="font-size-adjust:none;font-stretch:normal;">&nbsp;
</span></span></span><span style="color:black;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">Whether she saved it.</font></font></span></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt 1.5in;text-indent:-0.25in;mso-list:l2 level3 lfo2;mso-add-space:auto;" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="color:black;font-family:Wingdings;mso-bidi-font-family:Wingdings;mso-fareast-font-family:Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list:Ignore;"><font size="3">§</font><span style="font-size-adjust:none;font-stretch:normal;">&nbsp;
</span></span></span><span style="color:black;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">How she spent it.</font></font></span></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="color:black;"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></span></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="color:black;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">By the age of
nine, I had never:</font></font></span></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="color:black;"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></span></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt 1in;text-indent:-0.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3;mso-add-space:auto;" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="color:black;font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;"><span style="mso-list:Ignore;"><font size="3">·</font><span style="font-size-adjust:none;font-stretch:normal;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
</span></span></span><span style="color:black;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">Had an ongoing
allowance</font></font></span></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt 1in;text-indent:-0.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3;mso-add-space:auto;" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="color:black;font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;"><span style="mso-list:Ignore;"><font size="3">·</font><span style="font-size-adjust:none;font-stretch:normal;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
</span></span></span><span style="color:black;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">Learned the reason for
banks</font></font></span></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt 1in;text-indent:-0.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3;mso-add-space:auto;" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="color:black;font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;"><span style="mso-list:Ignore;"><font size="3">·</font><span style="font-size-adjust:none;font-stretch:normal;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
</span></span></span><span style="color:black;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">Understood what a
check was </font></font></span></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt 1in;text-indent:-0.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3;mso-add-space:auto;" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="color:black;font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;"><span style="mso-list:Ignore;"><font size="3">·</font><span style="font-size-adjust:none;font-stretch:normal;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
</span></span></span><span style="color:black;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">Realized that water,
heat, electricity, telephone, and lodging cost money</font></font></span></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt 1in;text-indent:-0.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3;mso-add-space:auto;" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="color:black;font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;"><span style="mso-list:Ignore;"><font size="3">·</font><span style="font-size-adjust:none;font-stretch:normal;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
</span></span></span><span style="color:black;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">Reviewed a budget</font></font></span></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt 1in;text-indent:-0.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3;mso-add-space:auto;" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="color:black;font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;"><span style="mso-list:Ignore;"><font size="3">·</font><span style="font-size-adjust:none;font-stretch:normal;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
</span></span></span><span style="color:black;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">Held bills of
different denominations in my hand</font></font></span></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt 1in;mso-add-space:auto;" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast"><span style="color:black;"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></span></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black;"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></span></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black;"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></span></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;" class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal;"><span style="color:black;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">What Do You Remember About Money Managed by
Your Parents?</font></font></span></b></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;" class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal;"><span style="color:black;"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></span></b></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">Is this
what you want for your children? Is this what you want for children everywhere?</font></font></span></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;" class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal;"><span style="color:black;"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></span></b></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal;"><span style="color:black;"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></span></b></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black;"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></span></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="color:black;font-size:10pt;"><br />
Are you a Senior? Do you have a friend or relative who is considering
retirement or has already retired? Check out this web site: Retire and Renew:<br />
<br />
</span></i></b><a href="http://retireandrenew.com/"><b><i><span style="color:blue;font-size:10pt;">http://retireandrenew.com</span></i></b></a><b><span style="color:black;"></span></b></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black;"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></span></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;" class="MsoListParagraph"><span style="color:black;"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></span></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black;"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></span></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black;"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></span></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black;"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></span></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black;"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></span></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black;"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></span></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black;"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></span></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font><img src="http://community.stretcher.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=327940" width="1" height="1">maintaining a homeconsideration of othersmemory of a past eventmemory of the pastlearningteaching children about moneyWhat to do when your home needs major window repair?http://community.stretcher.com/blogs/thrifty_living_today/archive/2013/02/13/what-to-do-when-your-home-needs-major-window-repair.aspxWed, 13 Feb 2013 19:06:00 GMTfda86a45-d6cb-4af5-9188-2e89367e0f5e:327099Lori Blatzheim12http://community.stretcher.com/blogs/thrifty_living_today/rsscomments.aspx?PostID=327099http://community.stretcher.com/blogs/thrifty_living_today/archive/2013/02/13/what-to-do-when-your-home-needs-major-window-repair.aspx#comments<p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
<a href="http://community.stretcher.com/blogs/thrifty_living_today/2013-01-07%20001%202013-01-07%20004%20(250x188).jpg"></a></font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">When we bought our house I appreciated the light streaming
in from all the windows. Later I would come to regret some of my enthusiasm.</font></font></p><p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">I had a dim understanding of what Minnesota weather can do
to the exterior of a house.</font></font><font size="3" face="Calibri">&nbsp;</font></p><p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;line-height:normal;" class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="color:black;font-size:10pt;">Welcome to Thrifty
Living Today a special way of life for the Twenty-first Century. <br />
<br />
My name is Lori Blatzheim and I am your host.</span></i></b></p><p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Calibri">&nbsp;<a href="http://community.stretcher.com/blogs/thrifty_living_today/Newspaper%20weigh/2013-01-07%20001%202013-01-07%20002%20(250x188).jpg"><img border="0" src="http://community.stretcher.com/blogs/thrifty_living_today/Newspaper%20weigh/2013-01-07%20001%202013-01-07%20002%20(250x188).jpg" alt="" /></a></font></p><p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">My husband was frankly worried. A year ago we had a major
problem with wood rot due to problems with a chimney.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes;">&nbsp; </span>Now he found some exterior signs of softness
in the window sills. I watched him walk around the house, pinching the sills
and wondering what was going on underneath.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes;">&nbsp;
</span></font></font></p><p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNoSpacing"><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">Windows became the prime talking point in our home. We
discussed the why, what, when, where, and how of the situation and realized
that our understanding of window replacement was miniscule.</font></font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Calibri">&nbsp;</font></p><p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal;"><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">How did we find the
company that would replace our windows?</font></font></b></p><p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">We:</font></font></p><p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;text-indent:-0.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;"><span style="mso-list:Ignore;"><font size="3">·</font><span style="font-size-adjust:none;font-stretch:normal;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
</span></span></span><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">used a search engine and took a crash course on
window replacement.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes;">&nbsp; </span></font></font></p><p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;text-indent:-0.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;"><span style="mso-list:Ignore;"><font size="3">·</font><span style="font-size-adjust:none;font-stretch:normal;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
</span></span></span><font face="Calibri"><font size="3">studied advertisements, with special attention
to price, quality, and design.</font></font></p><p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;text-indent:-0.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;"><span style="mso-list:Ignore;"><font size="3">·</font><span style="font-size-adjust:none;font-stretch:normal;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
</span></span></span><font face="Calibri"><font size="3">invited salesmen from window replacement
companies to visit our home and give us quotes.</font></font></p><p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 10pt 0.5in;text-indent:-0.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;"><span style="mso-list:Ignore;"><font size="3">·</font><span style="font-size-adjust:none;font-stretch:normal;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
</span></span></span><font face="Calibri"><font size="3">discussed arrangements for payment. We had
decided we wanted to pay by the time the windows were installed.</font></font></p><p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">There are several companies that install windows for people
in our area. The prices vary a bit. We spoke of what we wanted and hoped to receive.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes;">&nbsp; </span></font></font></p><p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">We decided to choose a company which cost slightly more than
another. It seemed to offer better quality in product and in those who would
install the windows. </font></font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://community.stretcher.com/blogs/thrifty_living_today/advertisement/2013-01-07%20001%202013-01-07%20006%20(250x188).jpg"><img border="0" src="http://community.stretcher.com/blogs/thrifty_living_today/advertisement/2013-01-07%20001%202013-01-07%20006%20(250x188).jpg" alt="" /></a></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font face="Calibri"></font></font>&nbsp;</p><p style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font face="Calibri"><a href="http://community.stretcher.com/blogs/thrifty_living_today/Newspaper%20weigh/2013-01-07%20001%202013-01-07%20010%20(250x188).jpg"><img border="0" src="http://community.stretcher.com/blogs/thrifty_living_today/Newspaper%20weigh/2013-01-07%20001%202013-01-07%20010%20(250x188).jpg" alt="" /></a>&nbsp;</font></font></p><p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">Minnesota winters are brutal. Once we made the decision to purchase
the windows, we wondered when this major event would happen. The contract was
signed in late fall. It would take time before the windows would be prepared.</font></font></p><p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font face="Calibri"><font size="3">Based on the contract, and information from the salesman, the
installation would occur in early January.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes;">&nbsp;
</span>I wondered about the timing. Would men walk around the back yard in foot
deep snow? Where would they put the ladders? </font></font></p><p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal;"><font size="3" face="Calibri">&nbsp;<a href="http://community.stretcher.com/blogs/thrifty_living_today/2013-01-07%20001%202013-01-07%20004%20(250x188).jpg"><img border="0" src="http://community.stretcher.com/blogs/thrifty_living_today/2013-01-07%20001%202013-01-07%20004%20(250x188).jpg" alt="" /></a></font></b></p><p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font face="Calibri"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal;">The role of Justin,
our salesman</b></font></font></p><p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">The company we selected spends time with customers. </font></font></p><p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">Our salesman presented a class on the topic “what to expect
when you are having windows installed.” </font></font></p><p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">Measurements were taken. Window design was selected.</font></font></p><p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">The windows had to be fabricated at a different site and
brought in.</font></font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Calibri"></font>&nbsp;</p><p style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://community.stretcher.com/blogs/thrifty_living_today/2013-01-07%20001%202013-01-07%20012%20(250x188).jpg"><img border="0" src="http://community.stretcher.com/blogs/thrifty_living_today/2013-01-07%20001%202013-01-07%20012%20(250x188).jpg" alt="" /></a></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Calibri"></font>&nbsp;</p><p style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font face="Calibri"><a href="http://community.stretcher.com/blogs/thrifty_living_today/2013-01-07%20001%202013-01-07%20014%20(250x188).jpg"><img border="0" src="http://community.stretcher.com/blogs/thrifty_living_today/2013-01-07%20001%202013-01-07%20014%20(250x188).jpg" alt="" /></a></font></font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">&nbsp;</font></font></p><p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">The workers would come to our home and set everything up. The
installation would take one or two days. They would place plastic sheets around
every window site, and covering on the floors. They would explain what was being
done every step of the way.</font></font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font face="Calibri"></font></font>&nbsp;</p><p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">When the windows were installed, and everyone was satisfied,
they would do a thorough cleaning of the site.</font></font></p><p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font face="Calibri"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal;">Our responsibilities</b></font></font></p><p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">I never thought of who would prepare the home window sites
and remove furniture, wall hangings, and pictures from site. That turned out to
be our job.</font></font></p><p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">We would have to remove all blinds, shades, and drapes. My
husband would have to do most of this.</font></font></p><p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Calibri">&nbsp;</font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal;"><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">How the Workmen
helped</font></font></b></p><p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">It is nice to have promises fulfilled. We had been told what
to expect. Everything promised was accomplished.</font></font></p><p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">The workers came on time and left on time.</font></font></p><p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">They carefully prepared the surrounding sites.</font></font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font face="Calibri"></font></font>&nbsp;</p><p style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font face="Calibri"><a href="http://community.stretcher.com/blogs/thrifty_living_today/2013-01-07%20001%202013-01-07%20004%20(250x188).jpg"><img border="0" src="http://community.stretcher.com/blogs/thrifty_living_today/2013-01-07%20001%202013-01-07%20004%20(250x188).jpg" alt="" /></a>&nbsp;</font></font></p><p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">The windows fit and worked well.</font></font></p><p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">Following the installation, one workman removed the
temporary floor covering and vacuumed all areas involved. He didn’t stop until
all was cleaned.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal;"></b></font></font></p><p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">Before leaving they gave us a five minute class on how to position
the new windows so that we could wash them from the inside of the home.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal;"></b></font></font></p><p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal;"><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">In retrospect</font></font></b></p><p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">We are glad we had new windows placed. One large old window
had some evidence of decay. The others had no evidence of dry rot. My husband
is now more relaxed. We seldom mention the windows.</font></font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Calibri">&nbsp;</font></p><p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 12pt;line-height:normal;" class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="color:black;font-size:10pt;">Lori Blatzheim is a wife, mother, grandmother,
writer, thrift advocate, and retired nurse. She knows that use of Thrift can
help people because she has experienced the benefits.</span></i></b></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 12pt;line-height:normal;" class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="color:black;font-size:10pt;"><br />
Are you a Senior? Do you have a friend or relative who is considering
retirement or has already retired? Check out this web site: Retire and Renew:<br />
<br />
</span></i></b><a href="http://retireandrenew.com/"><b><i><span style="color:blue;font-size:10pt;">http://retireandrenew.com</span></i></b></a><b><i><u><span style="color:blue;font-size:10pt;"></span></u></i></b></p><p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height:115%;font-size:9pt;">Thanks
to Renewal by Andersen the company that <span style="mso-spacerun:yes;">&nbsp;</span>helped us install quality windows and frames.
They demonstrated a friendly, thoughtful approach to meeting our needs every
step of the way.</span></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font></p><img src="http://community.stretcher.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=327099" width="1" height="1">financial planninghome ownershipmaintaining a homehome repairwindow installationwindowsTalent: your own personal resourcehttp://community.stretcher.com/blogs/thrifty_living_today/archive/2012/09/25/talent-your-own-personal-resource.aspxTue, 25 Sep 2012 12:30:00 GMTfda86a45-d6cb-4af5-9188-2e89367e0f5e:305540Lori Blatzheim3http://community.stretcher.com/blogs/thrifty_living_today/rsscomments.aspx?PostID=305540http://community.stretcher.com/blogs/thrifty_living_today/archive/2012/09/25/talent-your-own-personal-resource.aspx#comments<font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font face="Calibri"></font></font>&nbsp;</p><p style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">One of the tenets of Thrift is to recognize our resources;
to identity them, to care for them, and to use them for ourselves and for
others. </font></font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font face="Calibri"></font></font>&nbsp;</p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 12pt;line-height:normal;" class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="color:black;font-size:10pt;">Welcome to Thrifty Living Today. A special way
of life for the Twenty-first Century. <br />
<br />
My name is Lori Blatzheim and I am your host.</span></i></b><b><span style="color:black;font-size:12pt;"><br style="mso-special-character:line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character:line-break;" />
</span></b></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal;"><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">What is a talent?</font></font></b></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">It is a gift, an ability to do something well. </font></font></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">Sometimes people hide their abilities. They don’t want to
show off. They are so “busy” doing other things, or working, or not knowing
what to do with this gift, which they don’t bother to acknowledge. They may
think that everyone has this ability and not mention it to anyone.</font></font></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">Here are some examples:</font></font></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;text-indent:-0.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list:Ignore;"><font size="3" face="Calibri">1.</font><span style="font-size-adjust:none;font-stretch:normal;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
</span></span></span><font face="Calibri"><font size="3">You may have the ability to cook a fine meal.
You think anyone can do this, but you are wrong. With time and experience, you
develop your learning of food; what dishes taste good together, what to serve
with certain cuts of meat, what makes a healthful vegetarian meal, how to bring
a complete dinner to the table with all dishes ready at the same time.</font></font></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;text-indent:-0.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list:Ignore;"><font size="3" face="Calibri">2.</font><span style="font-size-adjust:none;font-stretch:normal;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
</span></span></span><font face="Calibri"><font size="3">You may have a musical ability. You can play an
instrument. You know the notes and melody, how sounds fit together on the
scale, how a song with many voices can blend in for the greater good of the
piece. </font></font></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;text-indent:-0.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list:Ignore;"><font size="3" face="Calibri">3.</font><span style="font-size-adjust:none;font-stretch:normal;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
</span></span></span><font face="Calibri"><font size="3">Can you put oil in your car, fix a flat tire,
dig your vehicle out of a snow bank, listen to the sound of the engine, check
the tires, and realize something is wrong with the car? What gives you the
ability? Is it from knowledge, experience, interest in how a car is put
together, or something more? Trust me, there are a lot of us out there who jump
into our vehicle and expect it to perform perfectly………and it doesn’t.</font></font></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 10pt 0.5in;text-indent:-0.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list:Ignore;"><font size="3" face="Calibri">4.</font><span style="font-size-adjust:none;font-stretch:normal;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
</span></span></span><font face="Calibri"><font size="3">You may have a sense of color. You inherently
know what shades, tints, pigments, work together. You enjoy and celebrate the ability
to dress a room with colors that just seem to go together. People entering a
room enjoy the way items go together. They feel more comfortable, seldom
recognizing that it is color that brings it together.</font></font></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">These talents are important. They are personal resources.
You can bring a special ability to your life and that of others. Don’t hide it.
Don’t flaunt it. Use it.</font></font></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">Think about yourself. Your gifts may lead to a family that
would rather eat your food than a neighborhood take out, that may be entertained
by your musical ability, that is sure the car is working well and can be trusted
while driving down the road, and that the choice of paint color will enhance a
room. </font></font></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal;"><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">What does a talent
have to do with Thrift?</font></font></b></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">Think about the examples above. </font></font></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">The good cook can select those vegetables and fruits that
are in season and include them in the meal. Vegetarian foods may be grouped
together to provide a thoughtful and complete meal. Less expensive meats may be
prepared so they taste just as good as the expensive cuts. Dinner does not
depend on a neighborhood take-out.</font></font></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">Music in the home can result in home entertainment. Family
members appreciate each other. Children and adults may join choirs, bands, or
even orchestras. </font></font></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">How much does it cost to have a car towed? I suppose it
depends on the distance, and how the car is functioning. Think about it. The
person who keeps the vehicle in good, workable condition, or knows when it is
time for service, is a real asset. </font></font></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">What if you paint a room and then discover that the color is
wrong, wrong, wrong! How much does it cost to paint a room? How much work has
been done? Think about it. If someone in the home has a real color sense, they are a real asset.</font></font></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal;"><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">Helping others </font></font></b></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">You have a special gift. Do you want to share your abilities
with others?</font></font></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">From a monetary standpoint, you may be able to make money
from it. Use it if you need the income or if friends and family will benefit.</font></font></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">But…………..you may also be able to help someone who lacks your
talent and ability. Whether you travel down the road of volunteering publicly
or just helping out a friend.</font></font></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">Don’t sell yourself short. Whether it is sewing on a button
or badge, entertaining others with musical ability, or preparing a meal for
those less fortunate, you do have talent. What can you do with your abilities?</font></font></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Calibri">&nbsp;</font></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;line-height:normal;" class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="color:black;font-size:10pt;">Lori Blatzheim is a
wife, mother, grandmother, writer, thrift advocate, and retired nurse. She
knows that use of Thrift can help people because she has experienced the
benefits.<br />
<br />
Are you a Senior? Do you have a friend or relative who is considering
retirement or has already retired? Check out this web site: Retire and Renew:<br />
<br />
</span></i></b><a href="http://retireandrenew.com/"><b><i><span style="color:blue;font-size:10pt;">http://retireandrenew.com</span></i></b></a><b><i><span style="color:black;font-size:10pt;"><br />
<br />
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</font><img src="http://community.stretcher.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=305540" width="1" height="1">life enhancementmaintaining a homedining with familyconsideration of otherscharitygenerositydo it yourself craftsfrugal livingself contentAccidentshttp://community.stretcher.com/blogs/thrifty_living_today/archive/2012/09/08/accidents.aspxSun, 09 Sep 2012 02:01:00 GMTfda86a45-d6cb-4af5-9188-2e89367e0f5e:303291Lori Blatzheim0http://community.stretcher.com/blogs/thrifty_living_today/rsscomments.aspx?PostID=303291http://community.stretcher.com/blogs/thrifty_living_today/archive/2012/09/08/accidents.aspx#comments<div>
<div><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font></div><div><span style="font-size:11pt;font-weight:normal;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div><span style="font-size:11pt;font-weight:normal;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;">According to the Dictionary. com, an accident is an undesirable or
unfortunate happening that occurs unintentionally and usually results in harm,
injury, damage or loss. </span></div><h1 style="background:white;margin:0.67em 0in;line-height:18pt;"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-weight:normal;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;">How can we prevent accidents? </span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-weight:normal;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;">How can we prevent injury to people of any age?</span></h1><div><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font></div><p style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><b><i><span style="color:black;">Welcome to Thrifty Living Today, a special way of life for the
Twenty-first Century. <br />
<br />
My name is Lori Blatzheim and I am your host.</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal;"><span></span></i></b></font></p><div><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font></div><h1 style="background:white;margin:0.67em 0in;line-height:18pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal;"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-weight:normal;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;">Mishap, calamity,
misfortune, unexpected event</span></i></h1><div><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font></div><h1 style="background:white;margin:0.67em 0in;line-height:18pt;"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-weight:normal;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;">People can be the victim of an accident at any age. </span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-weight:normal;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;">If you see a hazard ahead, say something. If the danger is eminent, shout
out the danger. Prepare your home and property for visitors of any age.</span><span style="font-size:11pt;"> </span></h1><div><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font></div><h1 style="background:white;margin:0.67em 0in;line-height:18pt;"><span style="font-size:11pt;">Our youngest citizens</span></h1><div><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font></div><p style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span><font size="3">Children are
just that, children. They have limited experien<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal;">ce</b> with cause and effect. They do not realize the consequences of
their actions. One minute they are happy and playful. The next they are crying
as a resu<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal;">l</b>t of something they didn’t
expect.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal;"> </b><span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes;">&nbsp;</span></span></font></span></p><div><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font></div><h1 style="background:white;margin:0.67em 0in;line-height:18pt;"><span style="font-size:11pt;">Adults have accidents</span></h1><div><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font></div><h1 style="background:white;margin:0.67em 0in;line-height:18pt;"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-weight:normal;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;">As we reach adulthood, we learn routines and we become familiar with
activities. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes;">&nbsp;</span>We feel confident and skilled.
We expect the environment to remain unchanged. We might not see a hazard until
it is too late. </span></h1><div><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font></div><h1 style="background:white;margin:0.67em 0in;line-height:18pt;"><span style="font-size:11pt;">Seniors may be the victims of
an accident</span></h1><div><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font></div><h1 style="background:white;margin:0.67em 0in;line-height:18pt;"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-weight:normal;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;">They may not be as strong or mobile as they used to be. Vision, hearing,
and other senses may not be as acute as they were in the past. An older person
may not notice barriers in their way or other hazards. </span></h1><div><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font></div><p style="background:white;margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><span>Please don’t leave it up to someone else. If you see a hazard
ahead, say something, if the danger is eminent, shout out the danger.&nbsp; </span><span></span></font></p><div><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font></div><h1 style="background:white;margin:0.67em 0in;line-height:18pt;"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-weight:normal;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;">There are many reasons we should try to anticipate, and prevent
accidents. Here are some of them:</span></h1><div><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font></div><h1 style="background:white;margin:0.67em 0in;line-height:18pt;"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-weight:normal;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;">To prevent:</span></h1><div><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font></div><h1 style="background:white;margin:0.67em 0in 0.67em 0.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:18pt;text-indent:-0.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;"><span style="font-family:Symbol;font-size:11pt;font-weight:normal;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;"><span style="mso-list:Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust:none;font-stretch:normal;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
</span></span></span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-weight:normal;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;">Injury</span></h1><div><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font></div><h1 style="background:white;margin:0.67em 0in 0.67em 0.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:18pt;text-indent:-0.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;"><span style="font-family:Symbol;font-size:11pt;font-weight:normal;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;"><span style="mso-list:Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust:none;font-stretch:normal;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
</span></span></span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-weight:normal;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;">Pain</span></h1><div><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font></div><h1 style="background:white;margin:0.67em 0in 0.67em 0.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:18pt;text-indent:-0.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;"><span style="font-family:Symbol;font-size:11pt;font-weight:normal;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;"><span style="mso-list:Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust:none;font-stretch:normal;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
</span></span></span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-weight:normal;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;">Inability to work</span></h1><div><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font></div><h1 style="background:white;margin:0.67em 0in 0.67em 0.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:18pt;text-indent:-0.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;"><span style="font-family:Symbol;font-size:11pt;font-weight:normal;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;"><span style="mso-list:Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust:none;font-stretch:normal;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
</span></span></span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-weight:normal;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;">Emotional cost</span></h1><div><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font></div><h1 style="background:white;margin:0.67em 0in 0.67em 0.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:18pt;text-indent:-0.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;"><span style="font-family:Symbol;font-size:11pt;font-weight:normal;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;"><span style="mso-list:Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust:none;font-stretch:normal;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
</span></span></span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-weight:normal;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;">Property Damage</span></h1><div><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font></div><h1 style="background:white;margin:0.67em 0in;line-height:18pt;"><span style="font-size:11pt;">How we can prevent accidents</span></h1><div><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font></div><h1 style="background:white;margin:0.67em 0in 0.67em 0.5in;line-height:18pt;text-indent:-0.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2;"><span style="font-family:Symbol;font-size:11pt;font-weight:normal;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;"><span style="mso-list:Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust:none;font-stretch:normal;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
</span></span></span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-weight:normal;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;">Assess the environment.</span></h1><div><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font></div><h1 style="background:white;margin:0.67em 0in 0.67em 0.5in;line-height:18pt;text-indent:-0.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2;"><span style="font-family:Symbol;font-size:11pt;font-weight:normal;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;"><span style="mso-list:Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust:none;font-stretch:normal;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
</span></span></span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-weight:normal;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;">Watch for hazards
and do something to eliminate or alert appropriate people.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes;">&nbsp; </span></span></h1><div><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font></div><h1 style="background:white;margin:0.67em 0in 0.67em 0.5in;line-height:18pt;text-indent:-0.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2;"><span style="font-family:Symbol;font-size:11pt;font-weight:normal;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;"><span style="mso-list:Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust:none;font-stretch:normal;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
</span></span></span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-weight:normal;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;">Follow directions.</span></h1><div><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font></div><h1 style="background:white;margin:0.67em 0in 0.67em 0.5in;line-height:18pt;text-indent:-0.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2;"><span style="font-family:Symbol;font-size:11pt;font-weight:normal;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;"><span style="mso-list:Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust:none;font-stretch:normal;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
</span></span></span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-weight:normal;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;">Follow rules and
regulations.</span></h1><div><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font></div><h1 style="background:white;margin:0.67em 0in 0.67em 0.5in;line-height:18pt;text-indent:-0.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2;"><span style="font-family:Symbol;font-size:11pt;font-weight:normal;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;"><span style="mso-list:Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust:none;font-stretch:normal;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
</span></span></span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-weight:normal;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;">Provide what is
needed.</span></h1><div><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font></div><h1 style="background:white;margin:0.67em 0in 0.67em 0.5in;line-height:18pt;text-indent:-0.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2;"><span style="font-family:Symbol;font-size:11pt;font-weight:normal;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;"><span style="mso-list:Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust:none;font-stretch:normal;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
</span></span></span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-weight:normal;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;">Don’t take chances.
Consider the age and ability of others (children are impulsive; </span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-weight:normal;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;">adults are
busy, seniors less strong).</span></h1><div><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font></div><h1 style="background:white;margin:0.67em 0in 0.67em 0.5in;line-height:18pt;text-indent:-0.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2;"><span style="font-family:Symbol;font-size:11pt;font-weight:normal;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;"><span style="mso-list:Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust:none;font-stretch:normal;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
</span></span></span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-weight:normal;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;">Be watchful.</span></h1><div><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font></div><h1 style="background:white;margin:0.67em 0in 0.67em 0.5in;line-height:18pt;text-indent:-0.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2;"><span style="font-family:Symbol;font-size:11pt;font-weight:normal;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;"><span style="mso-list:Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust:none;font-stretch:normal;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
</span></span></span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-weight:normal;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;">Use common sense.</span></h1><div><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font></div><h1 style="background:white;margin:0.67em 0in 0.67em 0.5in;line-height:18pt;text-indent:-0.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2;"><span style="font-family:Symbol;font-size:11pt;font-weight:normal;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;"><span style="mso-list:Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust:none;font-stretch:normal;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
</span></span></span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-weight:normal;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;">Teach your children
well. Explain to them how accidents happen, and why they need to be careful. </span></h1><div><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font></div><h1 style="background:white;margin:0.67em 0in 0.67em 0.5in;line-height:18pt;text-indent:-0.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2;"><span style="font-family:Symbol;font-size:11pt;font-weight:normal;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;"><span style="mso-list:Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust:none;font-stretch:normal;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
</span></span></span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-weight:normal;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;">Make it a family
event to look for hazards. Give a prize to the child who makes a good
suggestion.</span></h1><div><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font></div><h1 style="background:white;margin:0.67em 0in 0.67em 0.5in;line-height:18pt;text-indent:-0.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2;"><span style="font-family:Symbol;font-size:11pt;font-weight:normal;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;"><span style="mso-list:Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust:none;font-stretch:normal;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
</span></span></span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-weight:normal;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;">Don’t punish a
child who has experienced an accident, teach. </span></h1><div><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font></div><h1 style="background:white;margin:0.67em 0in 0.67em 0.5in;text-align:justify;line-height:18pt;"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-weight:normal;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;">I invite you to
read 3 posts I wrote dealing with accidents. These are found in Retire and Renew, a
post dealing with Retirement and Senior living. They suggest strategies for
preventing accidents in people of any age.</span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-weight:normal;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</span></h1><div><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font></div><p style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://retireandrenew.com/?p=404"><span style="line-height:115%;font-size:10pt;"><font color="#1982d1">http://retireandrenew.com/?p=404</font></span></a><span style="color:black;line-height:115%;font-size:10pt;"></span></p><div><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font></div><p style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://retireandrenew.com/?p=409"><span style="line-height:115%;font-size:10pt;"><font color="#1982d1">http://retireandrenew.com/?p=409</font></span></a><span style="color:black;line-height:115%;font-size:10pt;"></span></p><div><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font></div><p style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://retireandrenew.com/?p=411"><span style="line-height:115%;font-size:10pt;"><font color="#1982d1">http://retireandrenew.com/?p=411</font></span></a></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-weight:normal;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</span></p><div><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font></div><p style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><b><i><span style="color:black;">Lori Blatzheim is a wife, mother, grandmother, writer, thrift
advocate, and retired nurse. She knows that use of Thrift can help people
because she has experienced the benefits.</span></i></b></font></p>
<div> </div>
<div> </div>
<div>&nbsp;</div></div><img src="http://community.stretcher.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=303291" width="1" height="1">retireandrenewmaintaining a homeconsideration of othershelping a strangerhazardsaccident victimsDid We Really Need Another Television?http://community.stretcher.com/blogs/thrifty_living_today/archive/2012/05/25/did-we-really-need-another-television.aspxFri, 25 May 2012 13:27:00 GMTfda86a45-d6cb-4af5-9188-2e89367e0f5e:290708Lori Blatzheim0http://community.stretcher.com/blogs/thrifty_living_today/rsscomments.aspx?PostID=290708http://community.stretcher.com/blogs/thrifty_living_today/archive/2012/05/25/did-we-really-need-another-television.aspx#comments<div><font face="Calibri"></font>
<p style="MARGIN:0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font face="Calibri">Back in December of last year, my husband decided he wanted a newer and larger television. The one he had been using worked all right but it was a twenty inch and he had trouble seeing some of the football plays and the arc of a golf ball after it was hit. For contact sports, it was sometimes difficult to read the important numbers worn by players.</font></p>
<p style="MARGIN:0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><em>Welcome to Thrifty Living Today. A special way of life for the Twenty-first Century. <br /><br />My name is Lori Blatzheim and I am your host.</em></strong></p><font face="Calibri">I was balking at the thought of another expense. After all, it impacted our savings and the current television did work.</font><font face="Calibri">I finally gave in and we decided to go shopping with him. The store we selected was filled with the latest and greatest in large flat screen televisions. We looked and looked and had just about decided on a brand known for clarity. While walking around, we saw a group of boxes with televisions inside. They were placed on the floor next to a counter. We asked the clerk why they were just sitting there. He <span style="mso-spacerun:yes;"></span>replied <span style="mso-spacerun:yes;"></span>“they are left over from Black Friday (the day after Thanksgiving). They have a few less features than the ones on display.” We noticed that the television sets on the floor had a price almost half as much as the ones on display.</font>
<p style="MARGIN:0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font face="Calibri">My husband and I decided to compromise and took the box on the floor. It was a good brand and came with a month long return policy. Maybe this wasn&#39;t the best use of Thrift (we paid cash) but it has proven to be a very helpful addition to our family.</font><font face="Calibri"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes;"> </span></font></p>
<p style="MARGIN:0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font face="Calibri"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes;">Lately I have been thinking about television and how it has changed in the last sixty years. We now have so many features built in that they fit almost every need. </span></font></p>
<p style="MARGIN:0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font face="Calibri"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes;">I have also tried to balance the time we have devoted to just &quot;sitting there&quot; absorbing the entertainment television tries to present. </span></font><font face="Calibri"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes;">If we spend money on all the bells and whistles, we can see almost everything we could wish for. Programs can be saved and we can, actually, watch them over and over.</span></font></p>
<p style="MARGIN:0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font face="Calibri"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes;">I am interested in the thousands of commercials presented to all of us, children, adults, and Seniors, during the course of a year. And I am concerned about a few of the programs children are watching.</span></font></p>
<p style="MARGIN:0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font face="Calibri"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes;">Seniors seem to enjoy certain programs. Some were created when they were younger adults raising families. There is no documented evidence, but I frequently hear that &quot;The Price is Right&quot; is still a national favorite among the older crowd.</span></font></p>
<p style="MARGIN:0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font face="Calibri"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes;">I find myself wondering &quot;what will they think of next.&quot; Keep your eyes open. </span></font><font face="Arial"><br /><i><br /><strong>Lori Blatzheim is a wife, mother, grandmother, writer, thrift advocate, and retired nurse. She knows that use of Thrift can help people because she has experienced the benefits. </strong></i></font></p></div>
<div><font face="Arial"><b><i>Are you a Senior? Do you have a friend or relative who is considering retirement or has already retired? Check out this web site: Retire and Renew:</i></b></font></div>
<div><font face="Arial"><b><i><br /><a href="http://www.retireandrenew.com/">www.retireandrenew.com</a><br /></b></i><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://retireandrenew.com/" target="_blank">http://retireandrenew.com</a><br /><br /></div></font><img src="http://community.stretcher.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=290708" width="1" height="1">life enhancementretireandrenewmaintaining a homeconsideration of othersconsideationThe First Apartmenthttp://community.stretcher.com/blogs/thrifty_living_today/archive/2012/03/28/the-first-apartment.aspxWed, 28 Mar 2012 13:41:00 GMTfda86a45-d6cb-4af5-9188-2e89367e0f5e:284889Lori Blatzheim0http://community.stretcher.com/blogs/thrifty_living_today/rsscomments.aspx?PostID=284889http://community.stretcher.com/blogs/thrifty_living_today/archive/2012/03/28/the-first-apartment.aspx#comments<div align="center">Mid pleasures and palaces though we may roam, </div>
<div align="center">Be it ever so humble, there&#39;s no place like home;</div>
<div align="center">Sir Henry Bishop (Wikipedia)</div>
<div><font size="2" face="Arial"><i><strong>Welcome to Thrifty Living Today. A special way of life for the Twenty-first Century. <br /><br />My name is Lori Blatzheim and I am your host.</strong></i></font></div>
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<div><font size="2" face="Arial">Graduation from colleges and universities will soon be here. It occurs to me that a number of young people will be looking for a place to work and live as they start their careers. </font><font size="2" face="Arial">They will have to find a place they can afford as well as furniture and equipment needed to make it livable.</font></div>
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<div><font size="2" face="Arial"><strong>Where will they find the furnishings they need?</strong></font></div>
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<div>If they have been saving for awhile, they may be able to furnish an apartment with the furniture, linens, dishes, glassware, silverware, cookware and equipment they will need by purchasing this at local stores. This will, of course, place a large dent in what savings they have. I don&#39;t recommend it.</div>
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<div>My idea is that, once the apartment or other residence is confirmed, they take a look around for second hand items they can use. I like the thought of buying at:</div>
<ul>
<li>rummage sales
<li>tag, yard, garage, or estate sales
<li>thrift stores </li></ul>
<div>These are great opportunities. Attending a second hand sale is like a treasure hunt. Those at the event never know what they will find.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div>
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<div>Shopping requires some preliminary work. There must be a list of what will be needed in the new place of residence. Another help is to include the dimensions of the kitchen and bedrooms, the size of the beds, windows, floor, and tables.</div>
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<div>A tape measure, old blankets for packing, bungee cords, and a vehicle which can be used to transport furniture are great additions.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div>
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<div>Those planning to shop need to determine where sales will be held. This information may be found in local newspapers, on signs, or special online web sites. </div>
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<div>O. K., so what about those people who are not about to travel the second hand route. What options do they have? Well, they can get to know their friends and relatives better and in the course of conversation they can mention that they are open to taking any unwanted items off there hands. Sometimes this can work.&nbsp;</div>
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<div><strong>Attitude helps</strong></div>
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<div>Let&#39;s face it. Nothing in life, or very little, is perfect. Few first apartments, or other places of residence, will be noteworthy. What they will do is provide the young person with a learning experience. Some things gathered will be kept for a while. Others will be traded, sold, or discarded very early in the life of the buyer.</div>
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<div>I wish you good luck, good fortune, and the development of a new skill, buying second hand supplies. The experience will result in a memory. One you won&#39;t forget.&nbsp;</div>
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<div><font size="2" face="Arial"><font size="2" face="Arial"><strong><em>Lori Blatzheim is a wife, mother, grandmother, writer, thrift advocate, and retired nurse. She knows that use of Thrift can help people because she has experienced the benefits. </em></strong></font></div></font><img src="http://community.stretcher.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=284889" width="1" height="1">financial planningThrifthome ownershipmaintaining a homestaying with relativesalternative lodgingBuying a Home: is it worth it?http://community.stretcher.com/blogs/thrifty_living_today/archive/2012/02/15/buying-a-home-is-it-worth-it.aspxWed, 15 Feb 2012 19:59:00 GMTfda86a45-d6cb-4af5-9188-2e89367e0f5e:279112Lori Blatzheim1http://community.stretcher.com/blogs/thrifty_living_today/rsscomments.aspx?PostID=279112http://community.stretcher.com/blogs/thrifty_living_today/archive/2012/02/15/buying-a-home-is-it-worth-it.aspx#comments<p>The one major goal most families in the USA have traditionally&nbsp;held&nbsp;is to&nbsp;buy a home.&nbsp;They&nbsp;have worked hard to achieve home ownership.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong><em>Welcome to Thrifty Living Today.&nbsp;A special way of life for the Twenty-first Century.&nbsp;<br /><br />My name is Lori Blatzheim and I am your host.</em></strong></p>
<p><strong>February, 1996.</strong></p>
<p>It was Valentines Day.&nbsp;My husband was still working&nbsp;back in California, finishing off work projects and&nbsp;arranging for&nbsp;the&nbsp;placement of our belongings in a moving van. He would be joining me shortly.</p>
<p>Together, we had made&nbsp;the momentous decision to leave&nbsp;Southern California and move 2000 miles away to the State of Minnesota.&nbsp;As part of the move, we promised each other that we would buy a house.</p>
<p>I started my new job in Minneapolis and stayed with relatives. My responsibility was to view and visit those homes in our desired area. Few were for sale during the cold snow filled Minnesota winter. Fortunately, a Real Estate Agent/ friend of my cousin and another relative living nearby helped me in this venture.</p>
<p>We viewed those homes that were available and selected the one that matched our criteria (less than 10 years old,&nbsp;3 bedrooms, well maintained neighborhood).</p>
<p>On a sunny February day I&nbsp;presented the signed documents and closed on&nbsp;the&nbsp;house.&nbsp;Standing before&nbsp;the house, I inserted the&nbsp;unfamiliar key,&nbsp;opened the red front door and&nbsp;walked through.</p>
<p>The house&nbsp;was nine years old and seemed sound. Looking out a window at the pleasant neighborhood, I wondered whether we would be happy here, if the house would prove sound over time, and whether this had been a good decision.</p>
<p><strong>Immediate findings</strong></p>
<p>Minnesota prices were lower than those on the West Coast. This house&nbsp;was much larger than the place we had been renting in California.&nbsp;We knew&nbsp;we would have to buy more furniture and supplies. But, we couldn&#39;t have&nbsp;known how many items that would turn out to be.</p>
<div>As the first few&nbsp;months went along we&nbsp;needed equipment to care&nbsp;for the exterior and the interior of the house. We started buying&nbsp;snow equipment including snow shovels, and&nbsp;a&nbsp;snow blower and, eventually, as spring came, a lawn mower.</div>
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<div>Looking around the interior we catelogued&nbsp;needs and made&nbsp;lists for furniture, cleaning supplies, and paint.</div>
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<div><strong>Learning curve</strong></div>
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<div>In terms of money, within months the honeymoon was over. We&nbsp;learned that it took money to equip and care for a home. It would require more time and effort than we had realized. </div>
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<div>We split our responsibilities. My husband took over anything and everything having to do with the home&#39;s exterior. He worked very hard using his &quot;do it yourself skills.&quot;</div>
<div>We watched for estate, yard, and rummage sales and&nbsp;dragged home a lot of furniture which&nbsp;needed refinishing. My husband turned out to be a master at that. Gradually the interior began looking like the eclectic home we had&nbsp;planned.&nbsp;</div>
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<div><strong>Reflection</strong></div>
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<div>We have lived happily in our Minnesota home for the past 16 years.</div>
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<div>We have ridden with the tide, learning&nbsp; to repair and provide&nbsp;those things that we needed to maintain the home.</div>
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<div>Here are some of the projects we have funded and had replaced the:</div>
<ul>
<li>roof
<li>washer and drier
<li>furnace and air conditioner
<li>hot water heater
<li>garage door and opener</li></ul>
<div>We have also funded:</div>
<ul>
<li>painting of&nbsp;the house
<li>trimming of three&nbsp;large trees
<li>pulling of&nbsp;stumps for&nbsp;3 trees lost in storms
<li>replacement of 1 tree&nbsp;
<li>tear down of&nbsp;our chimney due to wood rot
<li>major repair of the area of the exterior of our home following the chimney tear down&nbsp;&nbsp;</li></ul>
<div><strong>Current Plans</strong></div>
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<div>We do have a current list of improvement goals. These include:</div>
<ul>
<li>fireplace replacement
<li>new carpet
<li>water softener
<li>shower repair
<li>dishwasher
<li>window covering
<li>window replacement
<li>stove replacement</li></ul>
<div>I think this is a very long list. We will need to plan the best possible schedule with attention to timing and cost.</div>
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<div><strong>What have we learned?</strong></div>
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<div>There is a great deal more to buying a house than&nbsp;the purchase.&nbsp;Suddenly you find that you have a new and possibly expensive responsibility. </div>
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<div>As in life, we can&#39;t anticipate the unexpected. Appliances don&#39;t work properly, trees are blown down, exterior paint starts to peel.</div>
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<div><strong>Staging: what is it and why</strong></div>
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<div>We have learned the importance of preparing for home improvement.</div>
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<div>We need to save, in advance, for home maintenance and repair and for any future emergencies</div>
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<div>We must:</div>
<ul>
<li>Establish an emergency fund.</li>
<li>List&nbsp;projects to be done.</li>
<li>Look for the best possible home repair&nbsp;available in our area. Interview the&nbsp;repair&nbsp;personal and determine their cost.</li>
<li>Consider the climate in planning. Some projects cannot be done in winter.</li>
<li>Determine whether a repair is an emergency. If, so, break into the&nbsp;Emergency Fund, not&nbsp;a Credit Card.</li>
<li>List&nbsp;those projects&nbsp;we can reasonably do&nbsp;ourselves. </li></ul>
<div><strong>Final thoughts</strong></div>
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<div>Despite the planning, energy and work&nbsp;needed to maintain a home, there are&nbsp;many&nbsp;advantages.</div>
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<div>&nbsp;I have discovered that anticipating and staging repairs can result in a much more pleasant life. </div>
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<div><font size="2" face="Arial"><strong><em>Lori Blatzheim is a wife, mother,&nbsp;writer,&nbsp;thrift advocate and retired nurse. She&nbsp;knows that use of&nbsp;Thrift can help people because she has experienced the benefits.&nbsp;</em></strong></font></div>
<p>&nbsp;</p><img src="http://community.stretcher.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=279112" width="1" height="1">home ownershipmaintaining a homebuying a home